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IRP Fellowships in International Journalism
The next deadline for IRP Fellowships applications is April 1, 2009 for the program beginning in the fall of 2009. Please watch this web site for details of the 2009 program.
Introduction
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Spring 2007 IRP Fellow Shereen Meraji reports from Lebanon. |
The IRP Fellowships aim to strengthen the U.S. public's understanding of key international topics by helping to educate U.S. journalists by providing them with access to leading international experts in the United States, and offering them opportunities to do reporting projects overseas.
The program brings U.S. journalists to Washington, D.C., at The Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) of The Johns Hopkins University before traveling abroad. During the program, journalists have access to some of the world's leading specialists in international issues at SAIS and other institutions in the nation's capital.
As part of their program IRP Fellows travel for five weeks to the country or region of their choice. While overseas, journalists work on an important global story, which they discuss with other Fellows on their return to Washington.
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The 2008 program will offer two types of IRP Fellowships for the fall program.:
1) IRP Fellowships in International Journalism
In the fall of 2008 the International Reporting Project will offer up to four IRP Fellowships to U.S. journalists to carry out a project reporting from any country in the world outside of the United States. The program will begin September 1 in Washington, D.C. where IRP Fellows will spend two weeks at a program arranged at SAIS. IRP Fellows depart September 13 for a five-week period of individual international reporting. All IRP Fellows are required to return to Washington for a final week October 19-25. Applications will be accepted from all U.S. journalists with at least three years’ professional experience in any type of media. All applicants must complete an online IRP application form, which includes an essay of up to 1,000 words describing the proposed overseas project. A recommendation letter and work samples are also required.
One of these Fellowships will be the “IRP/FRONTLINE World Fellowship” for video journalists, which will offer additional support through the PBS program FRONTLINE/World and a chance for the Fellow’s story to appear on that program’s web site and broadcast.
2) IRP/Stanley Foundation Fellowships
In the fall of 2008 the International Reporting Project will award up to four additional IRP/Stanley Foundation Fellowships that will run concurrently with the other fellowships from September 1 through October 25. These fellowships will be awarded to U.S. journalists of every level – including senior and highly experienced journalists – whose proposals focus on reporting projects in one of the following areas: South Africa, Russia, Japan, the European Union or any member country of the EU. All applicants must complete an online IRP application form, including an essay of up to 1,000 words describing the proposed overseas reporting topic. Applicants for the IRP/Stanley Foundation Fellowships should focus in their essay on an important topic or topics within the proposed country that explore how that country (or the EU) is challenging or shaping the global order through political, economic, military, cultural and other dimensions of power.
The fellowships run concurrently and have the same program structure. Applicants must indicate on the application form which fellowship they are applying for. Applicants should be aware of the differences in the eligibility rules and criteria of each program. See “How to Apply” for more details.
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Tom Bettag, executive producer at Discovery Networks, speaks with Spring 2007 IRP Fellows. |
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Washington Program
Seminars
The IRP Fellowships program aims to provide journalists with a brief but intensive education on international affairs and foreign reporting. During their initial two-week stay in Washington, all IRP Fellows are required to attend a short series of seminars on a range of topics arranged by the program staff with assistance from SAIS scholars. These seminars are designed to introduce Fellows to practical and international topics that may be of use to them in their future journalistic pursuits. These seminars are an integral part of the program. Topics include:
- Personal introductions to Washington-based experts, including SAIS faculty, who will be integral to the Fellows’ projects.
- Basic reporting safety training and logistical advice for living and working overseas.
- Key contacts and project feedback from senior news editors and producers.
In addition to the seminars, IRP Fellows may seek permission from SAIS faculty to sit-in on any of the school's regular courses on international affairs.
Individual Projects
Aside from the seminars, IRP Fellows are free to pursue an individual plan of research, interviews and other work related to the international project they have selected to focus on during their overseas travel.
Fellows are encouraged to arrange individual interviews with the many international experts in the Washington area. Program staff members and SAIS scholars will provide assistance in identifying news sources and specialists in government, think tanks, other universities, embassies and NGOs.
Other Resources
IRP Fellows have opportunities to attend the numerous lectures, brown-bag discussions, conferences and other events pertaining to international issues that are held regularly at various Washington institutions, many of which are within easy walking distance of SAIS. Fellows also have a rich selection of evening events and programs on international topics they can choose to attend.
Stipends and Allowances in Washington
During their stay in Washington, all Fellows receive free accommodation at a hotel within a few minute's walk to SAIS. The hotel also provides free passes to a nearby fitness center.
IRP Fellows are provided with offices at SAIS equipped with desktop computers. They are entitled to all privileges at SAIS granted to regular students, including use of the wireless network, library and cafeteria. They can also access the SAIS library’s electronic resources, including LexisNexis, while abroad.
Each Fellow receives a stipend of $1,500 during the Washington stay to help pay for meals and local expenses. The fellowship does not provide health insurance, so Fellows should retain their current health coverage. Spouses may join Fellows in their accommodations but because of space limitations are not permitted to attend program seminars or SAIS classes. Because of time restraints, spouses are discouraged from joining Fellows on their overseas travel projects.
Copyright © 2007 International Reporting Project. All Rights Reserved.